5 art schools across India with promising annual shows

The graduate shows of India’s premier art schools are where collectors go to discover the next big thing and—don’t tell anyone—pick up a bargain

Art schools are where the artists of tomorrow grow, mature, and find their language. What people often miss out on is that they’re also great spaces for art collectors—whether starting a collection or looking for something new—to scope out new artists and trends, and, of course, buy art that is also affordable.

Art schools’ annual graduate shows are the best times to meet young artists, see what kind of work you can expect from them, and buy existing works, or even commission one directly from an artist you like.

Shiv Nadar University, Dadri.

Most college exhibitions are organized in-house and sales usually happen individually, through the artist. In the long run, this supports the artist until they meet a gallery they really like and can settle down with.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that the artist you like will become the next Anish Kapoor, but even if not, you will always have the comfort of owning a piece of art that spoke to you, and of helping a young artist along the way. Here are some colleges whose annual shows are a must if you’re looking for fresh talent.

COLLEGE OF ART, NEW DELHIMarch Established in 1942, on Tilak Marg, just off India Gate, the College of Art is home to a stellar Master in Fine Arts programme, and a faculty that includes many artists of note. The school was designed by artist Satish Gujral; and alumni include the late Manjit Bawa, Rameshwar Broota, Gogi Saroj Pal, and powerhouse duo Thukral & Tagra, whose bright, pop art has its roots here. During their annual show, the college grounds are dotted with strategically placed sculptures (the canvases are housed indoors) that make it a pleasure to walk through.

THE MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAOUNIVERSITY, VADODARAMay This university’s art department often finds itself in the eye of a storm: sometimes due to long-ranging challenges to department heads and professors, at other times, on account of touching already frayed political nerves. But it’s an art school, so all of this actually makes it a great place for students to learn and build their own visual vocabulary. Vadodara is home to a number of artists who find it easy to live and work there, given its support system of fabricators and framers. It’s supremely artist-friendly as well—even the brilliant Bhupen Khakhar famously left Mumbai to live and work in Vadodara. What this means is that the art department is known for everything from sculpture to painting, and printmaking to new media work. The department is supplemented by a brilliant faculty and champions, including Jayaram Poduval, Indrapramit Roy, BV Suresh and Gulammohammed Sheikh; and former students include painters Nataraj Sharma, Surendran Nair, sculptors Dhruva Mistry and Jagannath Panda, to name a few.

SIR JJ SCHOOL OF ART, MUMBAIFebruary Most collectors already own at least a work or two from JJ alumni. In fact, many artists you know from the 1980s and 90s are connected with the Sir JJ School of Art. Started under British rule to standardize art from the colony, the school is now an important space to find a more local language for contemporary art. Alumni include artists like Atul Dodiya, Bose Krishnamachari, Riyas Komu, Shilpa Gupta and Jitish Kallat. The fact that it is hardly a stone’s throw from Mumbai’s art district solidifies its importance in creating and nurturing new languages and techniques.

SHIV NADAR UNIVERSITY, DADRIApril The latest entrant on the art scene is the MFA programme offered by the Department of Art, Design and Performing Arts at SNU. Students have found their expression at this young department, and are already working with galleries—like the Clark House initiative in Mumbai. Faculty and visiting professors include artists like Vasudha Thozur, Atul Bhalla, Maya Krishna Rao, Sharmila Samant and Tushar Joag. Graduate shows are held at another Nadar family outpost, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi.

KALA BHAVANA, SHANTINIKETAN December Some 160 kilometres from Kolkata, Shantiniketan—Rabindranath Tagore’s family-plot-turned-academic-institution—turned into a university town in 1921 with the establishment of Visva-Bharati university, whose fine art department Kala Bhavana produced artists such as KG Subramanyan, Somnath Hore and Ramkinker Baij. All of them returned to teach, along with notable artists like Jogen Chowdhury and Nandalal Bose; Nandan Mela, the department’s annual art fair, is named after the latter. It’s an interesting place for those who prefer the Santiniketan school of Indian art.